THE SILK TREE

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

The Yi Wu oasis appeared from nothing, a miraculous conjuring of life out of the stifling aridity of the desert. There was a clear rivulet, the sweet smell of fruits and blossoms on the air, and a little caravanserai that was eager for custom.

Their mud and straw cells were clean, the melons cool, and delicious spicy skewers of vegetable and lamb were promised for later.

‘Wonder if My Lady has found her airs again, now she’s back with people,’ Marius said, as Nicander went to work with borrowed scissors on his thick growth of hair.

Tai Yi had contrived to keep her mistress apart from them, pleading the effects of the sandstorm on her health.

‘The way she is, who knows what she’ll do next,’ he replied a little too off-handedly.

He splashed more water on the black locks, hoping this would make the blunt scissors cut better.

Marius gave him a curious look.

‘As long as she keeps away and doesn’t cause me trouble, I’ll be polite enough.’

A cracked bell was the summons to eat and they wasted no time in getting to the small dining chamber and finding a place next to Korkut and his wife. Ying Mei was nowhere to be seen.

‘Are you feeling better, Korkut tai tai?’ Nicander asked Zarina. She was looking quite different to the figure that had emerged from the desert storm, red-eyed and spitting sand.

‘Why yes, Ni lao na. And the Lady P’eng? I heard she was near to being buried.’

‘Her companion tells me she is recovering.’

‘Went down the wrong side of the camel,’ Korkut sniffed. ‘I would have thought it your job to tell her about these things, Ni sheng.’

‘We’re not her keepers!’ he replied defensively.

‘Never mind,’ Zarina said hastily. ‘Here she is!’

Ying Mei was transformed. Her complexion had a fresh, natural glow and she had acquired from somewhere a flowing pale-green embroidered dress and a short jacket in blue.

‘Good evening, my friends!’ she called gaily. Next to her Tai Yi wore her traditional robes and a disapproving glare.

Without waiting for an invitation Ying Mei sat down with the little group. ‘I’ve heard it will be hotter still before we get to Turfan.’

‘My Lady, if you-’

‘Korkut sheng, I’m not to be known by my friends in that way. We’ve faced things together – it would please me should you call me just Ying Mei. And I will call you Zarina.’

The merchant looked at his wife blankly.

‘Well, Ying Mei,’ Zarina said, daring all, ‘we’ve heard the same. It will be quite a trial for we ladies.’

Ying Mei smiled warmly. ‘It will, but we’ll get through, I’m sure. The Emperor decrees – that is, I’ve heard that the Emperor himself sends for his mare’s nipple grapes from Turfan, and they come in camel containers packed in snow. They even manage to reach the capital without melting!’

‘Holy Qormusta! This is what he does with our taxes? No wonder there’s unrest!’

‘Please don’t swear, dear,’ Zarina murmured, then added, ‘And how about your General Wang Chih? When he goes on campaign he has a camel with a tank, just to keep his fish swimming and fresh.’

‘Have you ever been to Turfan?’ Nicander asked Korkut.

‘No, never.’

Neither had any of the others, it seemed.

‘Let’s ask Su Li to come over and tell us something of it,’ Ying Mei suggested.

The caravan master, expansive with wine, happily complied.

Yes, Turfan was indeed hot – but most houses had underground retreats where it would be cool enough to sleep. Yet it was close to the Tien Shan mountains where the snow would be falling feet thick while they were baking below. But snowmelt was the very reason for the existence of Turfan. It came down in torrents, streaming far out into the desert. With it, irrigation was possible and there was more than enough to sustain a whole kingdom.

The dynasty that ruled Kaochang might owe fealty to any external power that was in sway at the time but thrived by reason of one thing: competence at regulating the caravan trade. A river of precious and exotic foreign goods flowed in both directions, real wealth, with the Sogdians at its very heart making it happen.

As Turfan was allowed its independence the Chinese had no power there and therefore they should expect all the bureaucratic nonsense of a foreign country waiting for them. Fortunately, Su had Sogdian friends who would be able to help matters along – for a small fee.

With a glint in his eye Su declaimed that Turfan was to be experienced! All the races and breeds of man that ever were – long-haired Gokturks, uncouth Uighurs, the odd Tibetan, he’d even seen with is own eyes some Tocharians with red hair and blue eyes! And of course those from other oasis kingdoms – the Kuchean dancing girls were famed for their liveliness, and-

‘Thank you, Su hsien sheng,’ Tai Yi said with asperity. ‘For giving us an understanding of the nature of Turfan.’